Ben's Witness Moment

WMUMC Youth Sunday

Our church combines with another small Methodist church for weekly youth group on Sunday evenings. Ben loves it! They have been planning for today's Youth Sunday as a whole group at our church. Ben was responsible for the Witness Moment (which I videotaped and Glenn didn't take any pictures of so I'm going to try to post the video in a separate post as it was VERY sweet and heartfelt) and the Benediction. All of these students did a fabulous job leading the service and we were, of course, extremely proud of Ben.

practicing before the service
Ben doing the Benediction

the whole group leading worship (I also videotaped this and will attempt to post separately)

Good Friday

Wesley Memorial UMC held a Good Friday service that included a dramatic reading of the Easter story from John. Ben was asked to read the part of Pontius Pilate and again did a FABULOUS job!

Cookie Monster

Each month we have a potluck Fellowship dinner and this month it fell on the Wednesday night when we were going to Dianne's to celebrate Ben's birthday and Valentine's with Mrs. M, family and friends. Well, since Mrs. M. broke her ankle on Tuesday night things got a little crazy. Ben had baseball, I was sitting with her until Mr. Rick could get there, we wanted to go by the church dinner and then at her insistance we were still going to Dianne's. (See next post.)

Our February activity was "cookie decorating". The kids enjoyed it and so did the big kids, like my cookie monster.

Church Directory Picture

Back in October you might remember our church celebrated its 100th anniversary. The same photographer who did our engagment, bridal and reception (those will be coming soon!) pictures was there to take photos for an upcoming church directory.

I can be forgetful (in all fairness I was working, cooking, keeping up with Ben and Glenn, cleaning, doing laundry, planning a wedding, going to wedding activities, tailgating, going to church, going to social events and more...whew! no wonder I was forgetful!) and forgot to order our pictures that day. Ashleigh, from Turner Graphics, emailed me the photo the other night so I could FINALLY order it. I thought it was pretty good of all of us!

January Fellowship Dinner

One Wednesday a month we have a fellowship dinner at church. I am the Evangelism Chair for our council this year and as of next month this will be "in charge" of this event. Last night we picked up a couple of pizzas and headed off to eat some really good food! (We have some great cooks at WMUMC!)

Ben was decked out not just for dinner, by the way. He and Glenn were going to the basketball game afterwards. (The Gamecocks won...Go Cock!)

WMUMC Tour of Homes - The Smiths

A new event on our church calendar for 2011 is a "Tour of Homes". The third Sunday of each month a family will host an open house and snacks. The first stop on the tour was today at the Smith's house. Queena and Anna Lee did a fabulous baking job -- chocolate chip pound cake, lemon bars and yummy strawberry cupcakes. The kids and big boys (ie...Glenn and Van) enjoyed their big back yard and the swings, ride ons and croquet set.

I'm not sure who is the host home for February, but in March everyone will be "touring" Casa Matthews. :)

Men Cook With Fire (But Women Help Sometimes!)

Each month our church holds what is called "Men Cook With Fire". Its a time for the men to get together, cook (usually on the grill) and fellowship. Glenn is president of MCWF and this time around asked for my help so I went with him to Sam's to get the food and then joined him to set up. I made the guys a salad and hot dog chilli, too. They said it was a great time (although I thoroughly enjoyed my time at home along enjoying my new book on the Kindle and an gyro from Sammy's.)

the youngest "men"...Ben and Tripp
Hiram set up the tea and glasses

Glenn manned the grill, while Van made sure it was going well

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was WONDERFUL!! For the first time in 20 years Glenn and his mom spent Christmas together. I loved being a part of this!! While Vickie and Fred visited Glenn's step-grandfather (we were going, but Honey Baked Ham got in the way with their long lines), I cooked using mostly family recipes texted from my Aunt Dianne. When things were going good, we did our last shopping and wrapping. It was so fun!! Glenn's grandmother came over to visit withhis mom and Fred for a while, too.

We enjoyed our (what everyone said was wonderful!!!) dinner and then following our gift opening, we ended with Fred's "to die for" chocolate pie.

Later in the evening we joined a few (maybe 15 or so) for a candlelight service at church. It was the perfect ending to our wonderful Christmas Eve.

My first ever Christmas meal!!! Turkey and ham from Honey Ham, green bean casserole per the net and mac n cheese and dressing from my aunt/grandmother. Its what my grandnnother always made, but my aunt has kind of taken over. ( I cheated....my gravy came from a jar. Next year, I am going to be brave and try my family recipe!)
dinner


Ben was so excited!! He wanted to open his "big" present!

Glenn's mom brings us our "big" present!

Clay was excited about his gift card

Ben loves his football game from the Wrights

opening their gifts

the boys are so excited to get gifts

our beautiful rooster dish from Italy

opening our awesome gifts...a Dyson!!

our little Elf

waiting on Santa

Candlelight service at church

Cookies and milk for Santa

Working the Pumpkin Patch

On Saturday we had a morning shift to work at the church pumpkin patch. We had a fun time --riding Katie's trike (we have no idea who Katie is or why her trike was there....but Ben fell right on off of it and luckily didn't get hurt!), talking to and selling pumpkins to those who walked, biked and drove up, throwing the football and just hanging out. We sold 38 pumpkins!!

Happy 100th Anniversary, Wesley Memorial!

This was such a busy, busy weekend and it culminated in a service and lunch in celebration of the church's 100th Anniversary. It was very nice to have my parents join us! (They took Ben to the fair after lunch.) They were able to finally see our church and meet some of the people there. It was a great day all around!

Wesley Memorial UMC Fall Festival

Each fall our church has a Fall Festival and it was held this past Saturday. It was the perfect, beautiful day! There were games for the kids, a BBQ lunch, bake sale, music, fire trucks, Hummer limos, bouncy houses and the Pumpkin Patch. It was a fantastic day spent having great time!

Tripp and Ben in the jump house

the boys in the Hummer limo

local news interviewing our pastor, Jeri Katherine

me and Jeri Katherine after jumping in the bouncy house